Just How Big Is Maine’s Largest Bridge?

While size is relative, this is our Pine Tree State’s biggest bridge by all measures, and there’s no denying it!

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When determining if a bridge is the 'biggest,' several metrics come into play, including height, weight, and length. Which benchmark are we looking at?

Well, this particular bridge checks all those boxes, making it stand out metaphorically and literally.

While we've heard that size doesn't matter and it's how you use the bridge, this one in Maine uses its size impressively. Its towering height, massive weight capacity, and incredible length make it a true giant among bridges.

So which bridge in Maine are we talking about?

Our largest bridge isn’t just known for its size in Maine; it’s known worldwide. Aptly given the tagline of ‘The Tallest Public Bridge Observatory in the World,’ the Penobscot Narrows Bridge & Observatory is, by all accounts, the largest bridge in Maine.

According to the Maine Department of Transportation, the Penobscot Narrows Bridge & Observatory is a standout attraction in coastal Maine, offering 360-degree views of the Penobscot River, Bay, Maine countryside, and distant mountains right here in ‘Vacationland.’

Folks here and ‘from away’ are drawn to its unique design, historical significance, and unbeatable scenery.

But just how big is the Penobscot Narrows Bridge & Observatory?

Again, according to the Maine Department of Transportation, the Penobscot Narrows Bridge spans 2,120 feet from the east shore to the west shore, rising 135 feet above the Penobscot River.

Additionally, the Penobscot Narrows Bridge & Observatory is one of only four bridge observatories in the world, with the others located in China, Thailand, and Slovakia.

The observatory, sitting at 420 feet (42 stories) in elevation, is the tallest publicly occupied structure in Maine and the highest bridge observatory in the world.